What does "no sugar" mean on the package?

You can find different claims about sugar on snack packaging, and this can be incredibly confusing. What does "no sugar," "no refined sugar" and "no added sugars" really mean and what is the difference?

You may be swayed by these claims and end up thinking you have chosen a healthy snack, but is this really the case?

First of all, we want to emphasize that not all sugars are bad for us. We need sugars within a healthy and balanced diet, but the right sugars. Sugars naturally present in fruits and vegetables, for example, belong in a healthy diet, but refined sugars in soft drinks and processed foods, for example, do not belong at all.

In this article, we take a closer look at packaging with the claim "no sugar." We will discuss the claims refined sugars and added sugars in more detail in 2 separate articles. We would like to give you here already a short overview of the main difference so that your search for a healthy snack will already be less confusing:

‘No refined sugars’

When you read on a product that it contains no refined sugars, this means that no refined sugars, such as crystal or cane sugar, have been added to the product.

‘No added sugars’

In contrast, the claim 'no added sugars' means that the product contains no added sugars or mono- or disaccharides, but it may therefore contain naturally occurring sugars.

‘No sugars’

When a product contains 'no sugars,' you can be sure that this product does not contain more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams or 100 ml. Moreover, this rule is established by law.

No sugar is really no sugar

Just what about "no sugar"? The biggest difference is that a product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars, whereas a product claiming "no sugars" really does not.

A product claiming 'no sugar' may not contain more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams or 100 ml. This claim may not just be stated on a package, this is set by rules. Just like the images above in this blog, Food2Smile's snack really does not contain any sugars.

Even though "no sugar" can help you in your search for healthier options, it is not a good idea to blindly follow this claim. Common sense always remains in order, as "no sugar" does not automatically equate to healthy.

Look at the overall composition 

The overall composition of the product is certainly also important. Does it also contain other essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals? These nutrients our bodies need to function properly and keep you feeling satiated longer.

So the claim "without sugar" can go a long way in helping you choose a healthy snack. In addition, choose healthy, nutritious products packed with useful nutrients for your body, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and kernels. This way you can be sure that you are giving your body the building blocks it needs to function optimally and you can get the most out of your healthy break.